The Energy Forum

The energy sector is evolving fast, and so are the opportunities for the next generation. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Michael Maher, chief of research operations at the Center for Energy Studies, and Nicole Van Den Heuvel, associate dean of students and executive director of Rice University’s Center for Career Development, explore how students are preparing for careers across oil and gas, renewables, consulting, finance, and beyond. They discuss what employers value most, how recruiting has shifted in a digital world, and the skills that set students apart.   This episode was recorded on August 14, 2025.    Featured: Michael Maher, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michael-d-maher  Nicole Van Den Heuvel, https://profiles.rice.edu/staff/nicole-van-den-heuvel  You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Center for Energy Studies nonresident fellows Abhi Rajendran, director of oil markets research at Energy Intelligence, and Skip York, energy economist and industry strategist, explore why markets look more resilient today than a decade ago, how supply chains have adapted, and the signals to watch as we move toward 2026.  This year’s Energy Summit, which the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and Baker Botts will co-host on Oct. 7-8, will further examine resilience in global energy supply chains and the innovations shaping the industry’s future. This conversation was recorded on Sept. 10, 2025. Featured guests: Abhi Rajendran, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/abhi-rajendran Harold “Skip” York, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/harold-skip-york You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

This is Part 2 of our deep dive into the world of advanced recycling. In this episode, Rachel Meidl continues her conversation with Marco Castaldi, professor of chemical engineering at the City College of New York, to examine the science and policy landscape shaping the future of plastic waste management. They unpack the major categories of advanced recycling and explore why these technologies are often misunderstood or mischaracterized. This episode looks at what it will take to scale advanced recycling responsibly and why nuanced, science-based decisions are critical for building public trust and resilient systems. This conversation was recorded on July 7, 2025.  Follow Rachel Meidl, LP.D., CHMM on X (@MeidlRachel) and LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Despite decades of effort, only about 9% of plastic waste is successfully recycled. The vast majority ends up in landfills or incinerators. In Part 1 of this two-part episode of “The Energy Forum,” Rachel Meidl is joined by Marco Castaldi, professor of chemical engineering at the City College of New York, to unpack the complex world of advanced recycling, also known as chemical or molecular recycling. They discuss what advanced recycling actually is, how it differs from traditional mechanical recycling, and why it’s become such a hot topic globally, plus: Can advanced recycling reduce dependence on fossil-derived plastics? Will it complement or compete with current systems? What policies and investments are still missing? This conversation was recorded on July 7, 2025.  Follow Rachel Meidl, LP.D., CHMM on X (@MeidlRachel) and LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” we explore what’s shaping the global oil market as we head into the second half of 2025 and beyond. Center for Energy Studies nonresident fellows Abhi Rajendran and Skip York break down why oil demand surprised to the upside in early 2025, how OPEC+ is phasing out production cuts, and why non-OPEC supply growth is slowing. They examine the factors influencing prices through 2026 and what global demand might look like heading toward 2030 and beyond. This conversation was recorded on July 22, 2025.  Follow Abhi Rajendran on X and LinkedIn. Follow Skip York on LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

The health care sector produces a significant amount of plastic waste, much of it non-contaminated and potentially recyclable. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Rachel Meidl, deputy director of the Center for Energy Studies and fellow in energy and sustainability, speaks with Peylina Chu, steering committee chair at the CPHI Sustainability Collective and former executive director of the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, about opportunities for the industry to advance sustainability while maintaining patient safety.   They discuss the challenges of recycling medical plastics, the potential of advanced technologies, and how petrochemical companies can help drive progress toward a more circular economy.   Featured guest: Peylina Chu, https://www.cphi.com/en/about/about/sustainability-collective.html This conversation was recorded on June 26, 2025. Follow Rachel Meidl, LP.D., CHMM on X (@MeidlRachel) and LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Ken Medlock sits down with Julie Cohn, a Center for Energy Studies (CES) nonresident scholar and research historian, and Miaomiao Rimmer, CES research manager, to explore how the Texas electric grid is adapting to compounding risks from storms, demand growth, and new technologies. They trace the evolution of ERCOT, unpack the dynamics of solar inverters and grid stability, and introduce a new CES dashboard that visualizes 75 years of disaster exposure alongside population growth and critical energy infrastructure. Key topics include: Why the Texas grid is an island — and why it matters. Dealing with grid disturbances like those that surfaced in Odessa, Texas, in 2021 and on the Iberian Peninsula earlier this year. Reconciling planning assumptions and regulations with rising demand. The CES “Natural Disaster Resilience” dashboard and understanding the evolution of risk. Explore the dashboard: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/ces-data-and-research-visualizations. Featured: Julie Cohn, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/julie-cohn  Miaomiao Rimmer, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/miaomiao-rimmer Ken Medlock, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/kenneth-b-medlock-iii This conversation was recorded on June 18, 2025. Follow Ken Medlock, Ph.D., on X (@Ken_Medlock) and LinkedIn. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

Conflict in the Middle East is shaking the global oil market. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran, a nonresident fellow at the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and director of research and advisory at Energy Intelligence, speaks with Skip York, a Center for Energy Studies nonresident fellow and expert in global market dynamics and upstream strategy, about how escalating geopolitical risk has elevated concerns about global oil supply and is driving oil price volatility. Together, they discuss this and more to facilitate a better understanding of a very dynamic market. Topics include: What recent Israel-Iran escalations mean for global oil flows. How markets are pricing risk and uncertainty. OPEC+ policy moves and whether more barrels will materialize. Why U.S. shale supply may have plateaued. The evolving shape of China’s oil demand. What oil prices might look like in late 2025 and into 2026. This conversation was recorded on June 16, 2025. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.

This episode of “The Energy Forum” takes a deep dive into critical minerals and materials geoeconomics, a space where national security, industrial policy, and global competition intersect.   Featuring Michelle Michot Foss, Baker Institute fellow in energy, minerals, and materials; Gabriel Collins, the institute’s Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs; and Vinod Veedu, assistant vice president of Rice University’s Office of Research, the conversation builds on a new Baker Institute report exploring how past wars and strategic competitions can inform today’s mineral supply chain challenges.   Read the report here: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/critical-minerals-materials-geoeconomics-2025-report   This episode was recorded on April 1, 2025.

Medical plastic waste is a growing environmental and public health concern, yet only a small percentage is recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or incinerators. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Rachel Meidl, Center for Energy Studies deputy director and fellow in energy and sustainability at the Baker Institute, sits down with Linette Leadon, director of environmental health and safety at MD Anderson, to explore the complexities of medical plastic waste management. They discuss regulatory challenges, innovative solutions, and the need for systemic change to create a more sustainable and resilient health care system. Tune in for a critical conversation on the intersection of health care, waste management, and sustainability.

Can ammonia be the next big fuel for transportation? In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Ed Emmett sits down with Joel Moser, chief executive officer of First Ammonia LLC, to explore the potential of ammonia as a scalable, low-carbon energy source. They discuss the technology behind ammonia fuel, its advantages over other alternatives, and the hurdles that must be overcome for widespread adoption. With industries looking for cleaner fuel solutions, could ammonia be a key player in the future of shipping, heavy transport, and beyond? Tune in for an insightful conversation on the road ahead for ammonia in the energy transition. This episode was recorded on Feb. 13, 2025.

In Part 2 of their two-part discussion, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies experts Jim Krane, Osamah Alsayegh, and Salem Alhajraf continue to explore the evolving energy landscape of the Middle East. They further examine the region’s approach to balancing economic growth with environmental priorities, assess OPEC’s evolving role in global energy markets, and explore the long-term economic and policy implications of Kuwait’s heavily subsidized electricity.   This episode was recorded on Jan. 24, 2024. Discussants Salem Alhajraf, Ph.D. Visiting Research Scholar, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Osamah Alsayegh, Ph.D. Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Jim Krane, Ph.D. Diana Tamari Sabbagh Fellow in Middle East Energy Studies, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies experts Jim Krane, Osamah Alsayegh, and Salem Alhajraf explore the dynamic energy landscape of the Middle East. Together, they examine how the region balances economic growth with environmental priorities, the influence of OPEC on global energy markets, and the economic impacts of Kuwait’s heavily subsidized electricity. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part discussion.   This episode was recorded on Jan. 24, 2024. Discussants Salem Alhajraf, Ph.D. Visiting Research Scholar, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Osamah Alsayegh, Ph.D. Nonresident Fellow, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies Jim Krane, Ph.D. Diana Tamari Sabbagh Fellow in Middle East Energy Studies, Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies

In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” we delve into a pivotal report authored by Gabriel Collins, Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, and commissioned by Texas 2036. The study outlines the immense economic risks posed by prolonged droughts and emphasizes the critical need for strategic investments in water infrastructure to protect Texas’ $2.5 trillion economy. Join host Gabriel Collins as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jeremy Mazur, director of infrastructure and natural resources policy at Texas 2036. Together, they explore the economic stakes, the cost of inaction, and opportunities to build a more resilient and sustainable future for Texas. Tune in to learn more about how targeted water infrastructure investments can secure the state's economic prosperity and set a global standard for drought resilience. This episode was recorded on Dec. 16, 2024.  Discussants Gabriel Collins, J.D. Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs, Baker Institute Jeremy Mazur Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy, Texas 2036

In this episode of The Energy Forum, we tackle the future of fuel in two essential sectors of the global economy: trucking and air transport. These industries are vital for moving goods and people worldwide but also have high fuel demands and significant emissions. As climate goals and regulatory pressures intensify, how are these sectors evolving to meet the demand for greener, more sustainable energy? Join host Ed Emmett, fellow in energy and transportation policy at Rice University's Baker Institute, as he dives into this timely discussion with Peter Zonneveld, president of Neste US, a leader in renewable fuels. Tune in to learn how the trucking and air travel industries are preparing to power their engines sustainably and the pivotal role renewable fuels could play in the transition to a lower-carbon world. This episode was recorded on Nov. 14, 2024. Discussants Ed Emmett Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Baker Institute Peter Zonneveld President, Neste US  

In this episode, we dive into the world of mining, minerals, and materials and explore the critical role they play in the evolving energy system. With the rapid increase in demand for new energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles, the need for essential minerals and materials is rising significantly. But with this growing demand comes a host of challenges — including supply chain constraints, environmental impacts, and economic and national security concerns.  Michelle Michot Foss, fellow in energy, minerals, and materials, joins Ken Medlock, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies, to discuss the complexities of sourcing, refining, and managing these resources and what it all means for the future of energy. This conversation was recorded on Oct. 24, 2024. Discussants Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D. James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute Michelle Michot Foss, Ph.D. Fellow in Energy, Minerals, and Materials, Baker Institute